The Gathering is over last Saturday, 19 Nov 2011 at Lodge18 in Butterworth. Build-up to the event had nearly 90 Assumption alumni over all years signing in on Facebook that they will attend. A hall with 10 tables was booked, food for 80 ordered. However, only 30+ kept their words, so each of those present had to share the RM3k bill. For those who traveled from afar (e.g. Singapore and elsewhere), the cost was even higher. Surely and expressively, it was no fault of the organizers, they had made it possible for all of us. And so, whose loss was it?
No matter the age gap (if there was one), we bonded like lost friends. As said that night, Assumption is not a school building, it is the spirit that lives in each of us who had passed its grounds. It was not about showing off how successful you have been or are right now, it is about the common legacy each of us shared that made us what we are today. For those who could not or did not make it there, you have missed some wonderful camaraderie that money cannot buy. We took potshots at our former teachers who sportingly and gracefully accepted it without prejudice. We recalled the history that passed by, why the buildings are now forever gone, why the badge design was changed, the spirited fights of the staff, teachers and administrators that went on while we were growing up and growing away.
We also remember those who had gone before us. We remember Abdul Razak, James Toh and Leong Kok Choon. Who knows when we will meet again or never at all?
So, treasure each moment and each friend you have. If the opportunity comes again, put aside any embarrassment (if any), cast aside the busyness of your work schedule, forget the family & children for a while. Come and catch up with your old schoolmates, those we call friends in our formative childhood years, those we carefreely embraced and accepted before discriminative race, politics or beliefs took root, and before our commitments took us away.
The Great Assumption Gathering 2011 was a start. For a while, we forgot our differences and took joy in becoming innocent (& mischievous) children again.
Long live Assumption~!!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Abdul Razak - May He Rest in Peace
With heartfelt sadness, we learn of the lost of our brother Abdul Razak on Oct 11. Although a year junior in class to most of us (he finished F3 in 1975), nonetheless he was an Assumptionite and friend to those who grew up with him. According to Ewe Sin who attended his funeral the next morning, he was killed in an accident a few hours after leaving the party past midnight.
When I left at 11pm, he was standing at the back of the hall near the drinks area. As I reached out to shake his hand, he gave me the brotherhood arms up version, and he kept holding my hand, pulling me nearer and tried to tell me something which I could not understand due to the loud music. He was quiet happy and I guess he enjoyed life. I never did know him well, just another face we came across in our passage through time. I don't remember him in school and was just being courteous.
We will never, ever meet again, and I regret not spending an additional minute with him or lending a more sympathetic ear. A lesson, if ever, a bitter one, is to treasure each moment with those around us, and not to over indulge.
May Brother Abdul Razak Rest in Peace!
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Big 50 Party
Well, it's over and done with. I am sure most who came went away happy. For some, it may some time before we see each other again or will never do so on earth (like Razak, may he rest in peace). For those who missed out, do check out the photos posted by Jimmy Ho at <http://picasaweb.google.com/jimmy.phho59> and Keng Sin at <http://picasaweb.google.com/kenlim59>.
For the 40+ who came, it was a time of remembering the past and the good times when we were kids. It was a time for catching up or play catch-up with all the face (& body) changes. For some, it was just time for another party, an excuse to be lost to wine, women and song.
A quick recap for those who missed it: the food (as arranged by Mohana) was delicious and highly rated (in cholesterol level as well!). The huge 50 cake was sponsored by Mohana and it had almost everyone's name on it (with a few spelling mistakes - blame the memory!). The venue (formerly BRC, now rebuilt and managed by the local municipal council [MPSP] where Mohana works) and the hall upstairs were adequately decorated with a banner bearing our old school logo. The band, two delightful ladies and a gentleman, kept the crowd tapping and clapping to their songs... wait a minute, I think our guys were singing on the mike more often than them!! A few ladies from across the seas were present to liven things up with the bolder ones of our guys. Beer was free-flowing as was the whisky (which started in Safira Country Club in the afternoon after the badminton games). The teachers who came (Tan Aik Beng, Chee Thoe Lay & Koay Swee Beng) can be seen enjoying themselves. A bannerette carrying our old school logo was given as a memento.
On the minus side, someone commented that it was expensive and grumbled about paying for the beer and girls which he didn't get to enjoy! Organizing Committee members - do note this as we want as many as possible to come. Not all are well-off with some coming from afar having to bear additional costs. BTW, is there any balance for a charity project as discussed earlier?
A big thanks to the Organizing Committee led by Hoe Hong, Roger Khaw, Mohana, Vasu and others. Hope to have another one next year as it will be the big 50 for those from the express classes and our junior year.
I am just happy that we Assumptionites got together, have some fun and leave with sweet memories. As time passes by and retirement looms ahead, I hope we will have more opportunities to meet and chat. But what I really hope for that we can form an official alumni which will contribute to the memory of our alma mater in the years to come!
For the 40+ who came, it was a time of remembering the past and the good times when we were kids. It was a time for catching up or play catch-up with all the face (& body) changes. For some, it was just time for another party, an excuse to be lost to wine, women and song.
A quick recap for those who missed it: the food (as arranged by Mohana) was delicious and highly rated (in cholesterol level as well!). The huge 50 cake was sponsored by Mohana and it had almost everyone's name on it (with a few spelling mistakes - blame the memory!). The venue (formerly BRC, now rebuilt and managed by the local municipal council [MPSP] where Mohana works) and the hall upstairs were adequately decorated with a banner bearing our old school logo. The band, two delightful ladies and a gentleman, kept the crowd tapping and clapping to their songs... wait a minute, I think our guys were singing on the mike more often than them!! A few ladies from across the seas were present to liven things up with the bolder ones of our guys. Beer was free-flowing as was the whisky (which started in Safira Country Club in the afternoon after the badminton games). The teachers who came (Tan Aik Beng, Chee Thoe Lay & Koay Swee Beng) can be seen enjoying themselves. A bannerette carrying our old school logo was given as a memento.
On the minus side, someone commented that it was expensive and grumbled about paying for the beer and girls which he didn't get to enjoy! Organizing Committee members - do note this as we want as many as possible to come. Not all are well-off with some coming from afar having to bear additional costs. BTW, is there any balance for a charity project as discussed earlier?
A big thanks to the Organizing Committee led by Hoe Hong, Roger Khaw, Mohana, Vasu and others. Hope to have another one next year as it will be the big 50 for those from the express classes and our junior year.
I am just happy that we Assumptionites got together, have some fun and leave with sweet memories. As time passes by and retirement looms ahead, I hope we will have more opportunities to meet and chat. But what I really hope for that we can form an official alumni which will contribute to the memory of our alma mater in the years to come!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
It's October!
This time next week will see the gathering of many old faces... at last count, nearly 40 Assumptionites will be present for our big do!
An interesting point here... how should we really address ourselves in the style of the Xaverians, LaSalleans (or LaSallians) and Old Frees? Someone suggested to use the acronym of our secondary school hence... ASSes?!?! Don't quite fancy calling anyone of you my fellow ASShole!! Hence, after much searching (without any aid from Google, thank you!), I found "Assumptionite" as the best option. Hope you all agree.
Talking of names, I remember the girls at Convent Butterworth (CBW). Of course, they fancy themselves Charming, Beautiful and Wise. I remember a schoolmate retorting with an ungentlemanly and rather naughty Hokkien moniker for them! In the other secondary school I was later in, High School Bukit Mertajam (HSBM), we were called by the convent girls Hill Side Black Monkeys!
Back to the reunion! Let's see... Hoe Hong must have something special up his sleeve again (remember the vibrating *thing* he gave a couple of years back?), while the two Rogers are banging their balls in the dark to come up with a delightful after-dinner 'dessert.' Meanwhile, 'Buah Kana' Mohana has promised a scrumptious halal dinner. Ozzies & Nzees are flying all the way back and car pooling is being arranged for the KL-Bworth stretch. With all the 30+ years of catching up to do among our 'young ones,' who anyone really listen to the oldies to be belted out by the band of pretty ladies?
A little info for those who have not been back to where our old school used to stand. I went by the other day and took some photos on my handphone (see right). If you do not already know, none of the school buildings remain today. Even though it may just be bricks & stones, it was our second home for so many years. Let's observe a moment of silence to mark its passing...
An interesting point here... how should we really address ourselves in the style of the Xaverians, LaSalleans (or LaSallians) and Old Frees? Someone suggested to use the acronym of our secondary school hence... ASSes?!?! Don't quite fancy calling anyone of you my fellow ASShole!! Hence, after much searching (without any aid from Google, thank you!), I found "Assumptionite" as the best option. Hope you all agree.
Talking of names, I remember the girls at Convent Butterworth (CBW). Of course, they fancy themselves Charming, Beautiful and Wise. I remember a schoolmate retorting with an ungentlemanly and rather naughty Hokkien moniker for them! In the other secondary school I was later in, High School Bukit Mertajam (HSBM), we were called by the convent girls Hill Side Black Monkeys!
Back to the reunion! Let's see... Hoe Hong must have something special up his sleeve again (remember the vibrating *thing* he gave a couple of years back?), while the two Rogers are banging their balls in the dark to come up with a delightful after-dinner 'dessert.' Meanwhile, 'Buah Kana' Mohana has promised a scrumptious halal dinner. Ozzies & Nzees are flying all the way back and car pooling is being arranged for the KL-Bworth stretch. With all the 30+ years of catching up to do among our 'young ones,' who anyone really listen to the oldies to be belted out by the band of pretty ladies?
A little info for those who have not been back to where our old school used to stand. I went by the other day and took some photos on my handphone (see right). If you do not already know, none of the school buildings remain today. Even though it may just be bricks & stones, it was our second home for so many years. Let's observe a moment of silence to mark its passing...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
REUNION TIME
IT'S OFFICIAL!! Our reunion this year kicks off on 10 Oct at 6.30pm at the old Butterworth Recreation Club (now known as Dewan Merdeka). Hoe Hong is playing Santa Claus with goodies at the door, Mohana is hosting a scrumptious spread (all halal), Roger has roped in a 3-member band of beauties, and Vasu has planned a special after-dinner delight! Behind the scenes, are the generous donors and contributors who are making all these possible. A feast for the pocket, tummy, eyes, ears & etc, etc...
Such commitment, such dedication from our Assumptionite brothers to make this event for all of us. Whoever you are in society, wherever you are in life, we were together as equal children of our foster mother, our Assumption school, who moulded us into what we are today.
For some of us, this is the year of the Big 50! How many more years do we have upon this earthly realm? Let us not regret any opportunity to meet up with these brothers with whom we played with, learned from, fought over some 35-45 years ago!
So, will you be there?? Even as I have to be in Miri the very next day, I will be there!
Such commitment, such dedication from our Assumptionite brothers to make this event for all of us. Whoever you are in society, wherever you are in life, we were together as equal children of our foster mother, our Assumption school, who moulded us into what we are today.
For some of us, this is the year of the Big 50! How many more years do we have upon this earthly realm? Let us not regret any opportunity to meet up with these brothers with whom we played with, learned from, fought over some 35-45 years ago!
So, will you be there?? Even as I have to be in Miri the very next day, I will be there!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
It's the Big 50 for some of us!
Time doesn't really fly, it crawls along on slow days, and the next thing you wonder - what happened??!! We are crossing the Big 50!! Yesterday, we were strategizing on how to inflict the deepest pain on our opponents who lost in the marble games, or fantasizing what Ms Teh would be dressed in (inside of course), or coming up with the lamest excuse why our homework was not completed in time.
Today, we strategize on how to avoid pains in places we have no idea was in our bodies, fantasizing on how long our libidos could last if given certain 'assistance,' or coming up with the lamest excuse why we are still not home by a certain hour!
And so, some of us (born 1959) will be on the treshhold of a new era. So what? The Bible did quote that man shall live to one hundred and twenty years, so one should be at least 60 before getting that midlife crisis! Some are already behaving as if it is the end of the world... *sigh!
Anyhow, it is a joy to see so many of us still around and kicking. Thanks to Hoe Hong, Roger, Mohana et al, the next reunion is planned for 10/10 (not to be confused with the sight measurement of seeing clearly all things at 10 feet, or that perfect number given to well-endowed ladies). Details coming soon, but don't be kiasu or kiasee, block this date... no lame excuses! Wherever you are (NZ, Dubai, US, Timbaktu etc), start booking your flights now while it is still cheap (I know you are... cheap, I mean!).
Keep in touch~!
Today, we strategize on how to avoid pains in places we have no idea was in our bodies, fantasizing on how long our libidos could last if given certain 'assistance,' or coming up with the lamest excuse why we are still not home by a certain hour!
And so, some of us (born 1959) will be on the treshhold of a new era. So what? The Bible did quote that man shall live to one hundred and twenty years, so one should be at least 60 before getting that midlife crisis! Some are already behaving as if it is the end of the world... *sigh!
Anyhow, it is a joy to see so many of us still around and kicking. Thanks to Hoe Hong, Roger, Mohana et al, the next reunion is planned for 10/10 (not to be confused with the sight measurement of seeing clearly all things at 10 feet, or that perfect number given to well-endowed ladies). Details coming soon, but don't be kiasu or kiasee, block this date... no lame excuses! Wherever you are (NZ, Dubai, US, Timbaktu etc), start booking your flights now while it is still cheap (I know you are... cheap, I mean!).
Keep in touch~!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Reunion 2008
It was great to meet up with all the mates on 16 Feb. Thanks to Mohana Sundram for hosting the delicious dinner (pity those of you who missed the chapati, thosai, soup etc that came AFTER the main buffet!) and Roger Khaw for contacting everyone. Photos of the happy evening (except for the post-dinner side-dishes... let's not get into that!) are in the slideshow by the side. See if you can remember the faces. Click on the photo for a larger version where you can download for personal viewing.
Although those in the 'graduation' years of 73-75 met occasionally over the years, having a major reunion involving more than 30pax occurred maybe 3 times (according to my recollection) in the last 10 years. As such, it was a good occasion to catch up with each other's diverse lives and renew the eccentricities that made each of us unique.
Among those who turned up at was Abdul Rani (67-74) meeting most after 34 years!! Also present was Mr Tan Aik Beng and Mr Chee Thoe Lay still hearty and hale. Coming all the way from Australia was Lenard Lim (67-74), making his annual pilgrimage to good old Malaysia, and Mah Weng Kong (67-74) a PR of Singapore now. Yearmates Jonne Quah (67-75) and Roger S. Vasudevan (67-75) also turned up for the first time.
There was plenty of joviality that, despite the long time gap, engulfed all in good camaraderie. It's good to renew these historic ties that bind!
Although those in the 'graduation' years of 73-75 met occasionally over the years, having a major reunion involving more than 30pax occurred maybe 3 times (according to my recollection) in the last 10 years. As such, it was a good occasion to catch up with each other's diverse lives and renew the eccentricities that made each of us unique.
Among those who turned up at was Abdul Rani (67-74) meeting most after 34 years!! Also present was Mr Tan Aik Beng and Mr Chee Thoe Lay still hearty and hale. Coming all the way from Australia was Lenard Lim (67-74), making his annual pilgrimage to good old Malaysia, and Mah Weng Kong (67-74) a PR of Singapore now. Yearmates Jonne Quah (67-75) and Roger S. Vasudevan (67-75) also turned up for the first time.
There was plenty of joviality that, despite the long time gap, engulfed all in good camaraderie. It's good to renew these historic ties that bind!
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